I chalk it up to an interruption. God tapped humanity on the shoulder, and interrupted the earth in the form of a baby. Christmas. Think about it…Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption. Just ask the Bethlehem shepherds. I’m sure they wanted a calm night. A silent night. But they didn’t get it.

You know, just because you want a calm life, don’t bank on having one. The financial aid office says “no.” A doctor says “pregnant.” The auto mechanic says “totaled.” And our typical response is the same as the shepherds. Fear. Funny that we often assume the worst before looking for the best. God interrupts our lives with something we’ve never seen, and rather than praise, we panic!

It’s a good thing the shepherds lingered. Otherwise they might have missed the angel’s announcement: “Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

This Christmas when life interrupts, I hope you’ll linger. I hope you’ll watch. I hope you’ll remember the shepherds. And let life’s biggest interruptions bring you an even bigger faith.